The Morning Routines You Need To Utilize To Jumpstart Your Day
We lie in bed each night thinking about the next day and all the things we will set out to accomplish. We understand that there is much to be done and we're excited to wake up and get started on the day's productivity. The problem is, once we fall sleep and float about amongst our dreams, by the time we wake up, our exhaustion is clouding the anticipation of the day's work.
There are several tricks that can be practiced prior to sleeping that can help minimize that morning mental haze, but it’s also how we start our mornings, how we wake up, that sets the bar for the rest of the day. If you want an energetic, productive and efficient day, then you need to have an energetic, productive and efficient morning. Here are 10 ways to jumpstart your day:
1. Get out of bed quickly.
I know that you all love to hit that snooze button in the morning -- who doesn’t? However, starting your day off sluggishly will increase the likelihood of living the rest of your day in the same manner. Be direct in your action. If you’re sleeping, then sleep; if you’re awake, then get up! There is no reason to float about somewhere in the purgatory of the in-between.
2. Take some deep breaths.
Before you go running off to do all the tasks ahead of you, take a moment to live in the present and breathe. If you have a crazy schedule, chances are, this will be the last time you will get to just hold still and do nothing but live until the end of the day. It’s moments like these that will ground you and make you thankful to have made it through yet another night in peace.
3. Go through the motions.
Our bodies are meant to move, but of course, they also need to rest. Now that you have gotten a good night’s sleep, it’s time to get your body accustomed to movement for another day. Do some stretches. Do some shaking and jumping -- really get the blood flowing. Easing your body back into motion will minimize risk of injury throughout the day and will also help increase flexibility and mobility.
4. Hydrate.
If you are an American, then it's likely that you are chronically dehydrated as it is. Don’t wait until after you eat and have coffee to hydrate. Drink at least half a liter of water when waking up.
5. Don’t skip breakfast.
Some people don’t eat breakfast because they claim they don’t have time. Bullsh*t! If you prepare the night before, then you will at least have a light breakfast ready and waiting for you when you roll out of bed. If you’re one of those people who doesn't like eating breakfast because you feel that it leaves you feeling lethargic, then stick to a light breakfast of mainly proteins and fruits.
6. Caffeinate.
There isn’t anything better than a good cup of joe to start your morning off with a jolt. Don’t drink some crappy cup of coffee, either. You deserve a good cup! It may cost you an extra buck, but it’s the little things in life that make life so delicious. If you aren’t a coffee drinker, I recommend some green tea -- warm or iced. In addition to a noticeable increase in energy, green tea contains caffeine that will help burn fat and keep you looking fit.
7. Wake up staring your goal in the face.
It’s imperative to remind ourselves of our goals on a daily basis. Life throws us many unexpected occurrences and it’s easy to lose focus of what matters and to get lost in matters of little to no importance. Create a visual reminder of your goals and post it on your bathroom or bedroom mirror, where you will have no choice but to look at when you wake up. The image will serve as a reminder of what's most important in the moment and it will also help you prepare and get excited for the day ahead.
8. Start off on a happy note.
Negativity should be avoided whenever possible. When it comes to mornings, however, starting off on a happy note is crucial. More often than not, the mood we experience in the morning follows us through the majority of our day. There are plenty of apps and websites with inspirational stories, videos, clips and images that will have you smiling from dawn to dusk.
9. Quickly run through your agenda.
If you keep a to-do list -- which I highly recommend -- running over it in the morning can help you to plan for the day ahead. The only downside of a to-do list is that looking at a long list of responsibilities can leave you feeling overwhelmed from the get-go. I recommend restricting yourself to only going over the first two to three tasks for the day and leaving the rest to be reviewed later in the day.
10. Get to it.
The trick to being energized is, simply, being energized. It’s really more mental than anything else. If you want to be productive and get things done, then be productive and get things done. Productivity involves actual doing. You can’t be active and energetic from the sidelines. Focus on action from the moment you wake up, throughout your day, and you will find yourself feeling more accomplished than you thought possible.
